MOT Advisory - Play in steering rack inner joints

ceetdm · 7th March 2015, 10:51

Hi,

My car just past it's MOT - so I'm happy :-)

However, it did have the advisory in the above title - when I asked for a little bit more information I was told that it's the part known as the "drumstick".

Is this a common problem? I don't think I've seen much mention of problems with the inner joints - how can I measure if this play is an MOT fail?

Tommy :-)

casperdog21 · 7th March 2015, 11:36

If Im right they are the inner tie rack ends, if you have been told that they are on the way out get them changed , ive just changed the ones on my vectra, dont leave them to long as they can cause tyre wear if they get to bad

brianw · 7th March 2015, 11:57

The inner tie rods are available from DMGRS on here or Direct from Tazu parts also on here.
There is a special tool available on eBay to remove the old ones although it may be possible with stilsons. Cannot say first hand as I have not had to go there yet.

HarryM1BYT · 7th March 2015, 12:04

Have a look in the alternative part sources thread. There is (I think) a Vauxhall part which is an exact fit and much cheaper than Rover parts.

Greeners · 7th March 2015, 12:05

same as ford galaxy or Seat Alhamba ones...

ceetdm · 7th March 2015, 12:39

Any advise on how to check if they are actually worn? Sometimes these advisories just seem to be at the whim of the tester.

Tommy :-)

ceetdm · 7th March 2015, 17:11

So it looks like the galaxy/alhambra/sharon part can be used, but around 3mm must be cut off the short end so they butt properly - Delphi TA1673 at around £15 delivered from ebay.

The Tazu part is also around £15, presumably no modification would be involved. Including subscriber 15% discount a pair can be had for £33.50.

So should I go for for Delphi or Tazu? Decisions, decisions :-)

ceetdm · 7th March 2015, 15:20

Just bought this tool link, since I'll be keeping the car for a while yet and want to make sure I'm ready if there is play in the inner tie joint or if it fails on future MOT.

Dashiel · 12th March 2015, 06:29

I was told by the manager of a garage that does mot's that most used cars have a little bit of play in the inner joints, and not to worry about these advisories. The tester is actually sticking to the letter by raising it as an advisory, which is good. At least he is paying attention and being thorough. On my cars unless they go past 10 years / 100,00 miles I don't worry any more. But then I don't do many miles. They are an easy job for someone with the tools to change, and the part is cheap too.

7th March 2015, 10:51	#1
ceetdm Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Manual Saloon + Rover 75 CDTi Auto Saloon Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 417 Thanks: 170 Thanked 42 Times in 33 Posts	MOT Advisory - Play in steering rack inner joints Hi, My car just past it's MOT - so I'm happy :-) However, it did have the advisory in the above title - when I asked for a little bit more information I was told that it's the part known as the "drumstick". Is this a common problem? I don't think I've seen much mention of problems with the inner joints - how can I measure if this play is an MOT fail? Tommy :-) __________________ Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Contemporary SE +pack

7th March 2015, 12:04	#4
HarryM1BYT This is my second home 75 Contemporary SE Mk II 2004 Man. Sal. CDTi 135ps, FBH on red diesel, WinCE6 DD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Leeds Posts: 17,273 Thanks: 2,160 Thanked 2,061 Times in 1,586 Posts	Have a look in the alternative part sources thread. There is (I think) a Vauxhall part which is an exact fit and much cheaper than Rover parts. __________________ Harry How To's and items I offer for free, or just to cover the cost of my expenses... http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...40#post1764540 Fix a poor handbrake; DIY ABS diagnostic unit; Loan of the spanner needed to change the CDT belts; free OBD diagnostics +MAF; Correct Bosch MAF cheap; DVB-T install in an ex-hi-line system; DD install with a HK amp; FBH servicing. I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

7th March 2015, 12:05	#5
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	same as ford galaxy or Seat Alhamba ones... __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

7th March 2015, 12:39	#6
ceetdm Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Manual Saloon + Rover 75 CDTi Auto Saloon Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 417 Thanks: 170 Thanked 42 Times in 33 Posts	Any advise on how to check if they are actually worn? Sometimes these advisories just seem to be at the whim of the tester. Tommy :-) __________________ Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Contemporary SE +pack

7th March 2015, 17:11	#7
ceetdm Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Manual Saloon + Rover 75 CDTi Auto Saloon Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 417 Thanks: 170 Thanked 42 Times in 33 Posts	So it looks like the galaxy/alhambra/sharon part can be used, but around 3mm must be cut off the short end so they butt properly - Delphi TA1673 at around £15 delivered from ebay. The Tazu part is also around £15, presumably no modification would be involved. Including subscriber 15% discount a pair can be had for £33.50. So should I go for for Delphi or Tazu? Decisions, decisions :-) __________________ Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Contemporary SE +pack

7th March 2015, 11:36	#2
casperdog21 Avid contributor rover 75 club se Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: sunderland Posts: 150 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	If Im right they are the inner tie rack ends, if you have been told that they are on the way out get them changed , ive just changed the ones on my vectra, dont leave them to long as they can cause tyre wear if they get to bad

7th March 2015, 11:57	#3
brianw Gets stuck in Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Rover 75 1.8 Auto Connie Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Aldershot Posts: 922 Thanks: 126 Thanked 119 Times in 79 Posts	The inner tie rods are available from DMGRS on here or Direct from Tazu parts also on here. There is a special tool available on eBay to remove the old ones although it may be possible with stilsons. Cannot say first hand as I have not had to go there yet.

7th March 2015, 15:20	#8
ceetdm Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Manual Saloon + Rover 75 CDTi Auto Saloon Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 417 Thanks: 170 Thanked 42 Times in 33 Posts	Just bought this tool link, since I'll be keeping the car for a while yet and want to make sure I'm ready if there is play in the inner tie joint or if it fails on future MOT. __________________ Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Contemporary SE +pack

12th March 2015, 06:29	#9
Dashiel Posted a thing or two Rover 75 V6 2.0 Club Tourer LPG Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South East Posts: 1,405 Thanks: 3 Thanked 39 Times in 34 Posts	I was told by the manager of a garage that does mot's that most used cars have a little bit of play in the inner joints, and not to worry about these advisories. The tester is actually sticking to the letter by raising it as an advisory, which is good. At least he is paying attention and being thorough. On my cars unless they go past 10 years / 100,00 miles I don't worry any more. But then I don't do many miles. They are an easy job for someone with the tools to change, and the part is cheap too.